State grants request for hearing on planned quarry - Tuckasegee residents who oppose a proposed mining operation will have an opportunity to tell state officials why they don’t think a rock quarry belongs in their community. The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Division of Land Resources’ Land Quality Section has scheduled a public hearing for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, in Courtroom 2 at the Justice Center. During the hearing, state environmental officials will take comment on Carolina Boulder and Stone LLC’s application for a mining permit for....

Old jail demolition - Work was completed last week on removing the old Jackson County jail. County commissioners approved funds in June to demolish the old jail, built in 1963, which was connected to the old Courthouse. The project will require Western Builders, who was awarded the contract, to restore and repaint part of the Courthouse. Asbestos and lead-based paint was removed before demolition started. Use of the brick jail, which was the second detention center associated with....

Father, son injured in Saturday wreck - A Tennessee man and his son were seriously injured Saturday morning in a two-vehicle accident south of Dillsboro. Travis Williams, 33, of White Pine, Tenn., was listed in serious condition Tuesday afternoon at Mission Hospitals in Asheville. His 6-year-old son, DeAndre, was in critical condition in Mission’s Intensive Care Unit, according to a hospital representative. Travis Williams was traveling south on U.S. 23-441 between Sutton Branch and Greens Creek when his 1995....

Allens Branch residents speak out on ETJ - Allens Branch residents came en masse to the Community Service Center Monday night (Aug. 7) to speak out about proposed extra-territorial jurisdiction for their area. Around 35 community members joined Sylva town board members and town Manager Jay Denton to hear details on the proposed ETJ from Planning Director Jim Aust. Using a PowerPoint slide-show, Aust laid out what town officials plan to do if the ETJ is passed, and what it would....

Former Joint Chiefs’ chairman to be at WCU - The Western Carolina University Chancellor’s Speaker Series will resume in the fall semester as Gen. Richard B. Myers, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visits campus in September for a conversation with Western students and an evening presentation open to the general public. Tickets for evening program will be available starting Monday, Aug. 21. Admission is free of charge, but there is a limit of four tickets per person. Myers....

Cashiers man drowns Sunday in Lake Glenville - A 26-year-old Cashiers man apparently drowned Sunday (Aug. 6) in Lake Glenville. The victim, Celestino Ochoa delos Santos, died around 4:20 p.m., according to Capt. Steve Lillard of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. Delos Santos and his brother were in the water near the public day-use area leased by Jackson County near the Glenville Dam when the brother experienced.....

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